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| face=Arial>There is no Senate race in this state. | |
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| face=Arial>There is no Senate race in this state. | |
Incumbent | Govenor Angus King(I) |
| Opponents | Former U.S. Representative Jim Longley(R) |
| Tom Connolly(D) | |
| Race outlook | Strong Independent |
ncumbent Governor Angus King, the only Independent governor in the nation, is an overwhelming favorite to win reelection this year over challengers Tom Connolly (D) and Jim Longley (R), who are running barebones campaigns. King is shooting to win a majority in this state where the third party system has flourished. If King wins more than 50% of the vote, he will be the first Maine governor to be elected with majority support since Democrat Joe Brennan in 1982. With just a one point margin of victory in 1994, King looked like an easy target for 1998. Many people were skeptical that an Independent governor would be able to actually govern. However the Maine economy has been robust, unemployment and taxes are down, and King is popular. The two major party candidates have not waged aggressive campaigns, and both have been juggling their day jobs with stumping. The mantra of Republican challenger Jim Longley, a former Congressman and the son of a former Maine Governor, has been lower taxes, while Democratic lawyer Tom Connolly has called for a tax increase to fund education programs. Neither candidate is running television ads. King launched his first campaign ad two weeks before the election. He is expected to make a strong showing in the polls. |
Incumbent | TOM ALLEN (D) --age 53 Elected 1996 |
| Opponents | Ross Connelly (R) --age 46 Businessman/Conservative Activist Eric Greiner (US Taxpayers) State Party Vice Chrmn/Enviro |
| Outlook | Strong Democrat |
| District Profile; | South-Portland; Augusta. 1996 House: D-55% R-45% |
Incumbent | JOHN BALDACCI (D) --age 43 Elected in 1994 |
| Opponent | size=2> Jonathan Reisman (R) --age 42 Economics |
| Outlook | Strong Democrat |
| District Profile; | North - Lewiston; Auburn; Bangor. &nbp; 1996 House: D-72% R-25% |